"Mad Honey" and Propolis Accelerate Fracture Healing

A Comparison of the Effects of Grayanotoxin Containing Honey (Mad Honey), Normal Honey and Propolis on Fracture Healing

Med Princ Pract. 2018 Feb 11

OBJECTIVES:

Delayed healing and non-union of fractures have a significant effect upon patient morbidity. Studies have therefore largely concentrated on accelerating fracture healing. This study was intended to compare the effect of "mad honey" and propolis on fracture healing using radiological and histopathological analysis.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:

Femur fracture was surgically performed on 48 rats, followed by fixation. Animals were then divided into eight groups; two control groups (15- and 30-day) and six treatment groups (15- and 30-day normal honey, 15- and 30-day "mad honey" and 15- and 30-day propolis). Rats were sacrificed at the end of these periods, and radiological and histological examinations performed.

RESULTS:

Radiological healing in the propolis group after 15-day therapy was statistically better than in the control (p = 0.004) and normal honey (p = 0.006) groups. After 30-day therapy, healing in the propolis group (p = 0.005) and grayanotoxin-containing 'mad honey' group (p = 0.007) were significantly better than in the control group. Histologically, there was a statistically significant difference between the 15-day propolis group and the other groups (control, honey, mad honey; p = 0.003, p = 0.003 and p = 0.002, respectively). We also found a statistically significant difference when the 30-day propolis group (p = 0.005) and "mad honey" group (p = 0.007) were compared to control group.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study shows that grayanotoxin-containing "mad honey" and propolis can accelerate fracture healing.